Electronic device with protective case and operating method thereof

ABSTRACT

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a connector detachable from part of an electronic device including a display, and a cover connected to the connector, wherein the cover is capable of covering at least part of the display of the electronic device, and wherein the cover includes a window configured to expose the at least part of the display when the cover covers at least part of the display.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation application of prior application Ser.No. 14/154,587, filed on Jan. 14, 2014, which claimed the benefit under35 U.S.C. §119(a) of a Korean patent application filed on Mar. 14, 2013in the Korean Intellectual Property Office and assigned Serial No.10-2013-0027232, the entire disclosure of each of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to an electronic deviceincluding a protective case and an operating method thereof.

BACKGROUND

In recent, as multimedia technology advances, electronic devices havingvarious functions are emerging. Such electronic devices mostly include aconvergence function for fulfilling one or more functions incombination.

Further, a mobile terminal, that may be referred to as smart phone, isdominant among the electronic devices. Particularly, the mobile terminalincludes a large-screen touch display module and a high-resolutioncamera module in addition to including a basic communication functionfor communicating with other terminals, and thus, the mobile terminalmay capture a still image and a moving picture. Also, the mobileterminal can play multimedia contents, such as music and video, and maysurf the web, i.e. may access the internet, by accessing a network. Assuch, the mobile terminal including a high-performance processor mayperform various convergence functions more rapidly such that the majorcommunication function with the other terminal is regarded as theadditional function.

Users who purchase the electronic device, such as the smart phone, maycover the electronic device with a separate protective case in order toprotect an exterior of the electronic device in use and to optimize agrip of the electronic device. The protective case may be formed of amaterial of excellent texture. A folder-type protective case exposes adisplay module, e.g., a touch screen, of the electronic device byuncovering the protective case. When not in use, the electronic deviceis protected by covering the display module. However, such a protectivecase often is designed for the electronic device protection and does notserve other functions.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determinationhas been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure are to address at least theabove-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at leastthe advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the presentdisclosure is to provide an electronic device including a protectivecase for providing various functions and an operating method thereof.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an electronicdevice including a protective case for obtaining status information ofthe electronic device even when it is covered, and an operating methodthereof.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an electronicdevice including a protective case for controlling the electronic deviceeven when it is covered, and an operating method thereof.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus isprovided. The apparatus includes a connector detachable from part of anelectronic device including a display, and a cover connected to theconnector, wherein the cover is capable of covering at least part of thedisplay of the electronic device, and wherein the cover includes awindow configured to expose the at least part of the display when thecover covers at least part of the display.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, anelectronic device is provided. The electronic device includes anexternal housing including a display, a connector detachably connectedto part of the housing, and a cover coupled to the connector, whereinthe cover is configured to close or open with respect to the display,and wherein the cover includes a window configured to expose at leastpart of the display when the cover covers the display.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, anelectronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a bodyincluding a display, and a processor embedded in the body, wherein theprocessor is configured to provide a user interface only in part of thedisplay when an object outside the body approaches or covers at leastpart of the display.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, anelectronic device is provided. The electronic device includes anelectronic device body including a display, a rear cover detachable fromthe body, a front cover capable of folding with the rear cover andconfigured to cover at least part of the display, a linking partconfigured to interconnect the front cover and the rear cover, and awindow in the front cover, wherein the front cover includes an innerlayer configured to form a face for contacting the display, and a plateinterposed between the inner layer and an outer layer.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses various embodiments of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainembodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device including aprotective case according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a protective case of FIG. 1 with a front coverclosed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a protective case of FIG. 1 with an electronicdevice removed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of a protective case of FIG. 1according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B is an exploded perspective view of a protective case of FIG. 1viewed from a different angle according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another side of a reinforcement plate ofFIGS. 4A and 4B according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another side of a coupler of FIGS. 4Aand 4B according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a connected protective case of FIGS.4A and 4B according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams of opening and closing of a front cover ofa protective case according to a position of a magnet according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 9A. 9B, 9C, and 9D are diagrams of various linking parts of aprotective case according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a reinforcement plate according to an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, and 11E are diagrams of various coversaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a processor of FIG. 12 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a method for operating an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a method for operating a cover touch of anelectronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;and

FIGS. 16A and 16B are graphs of sensitivity compared between a directtouch mode and a cover touch mode of an electronic device according toan embodiment of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood torefer to like parts, components and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of variousembodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the various embodiments describedherein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of thepresent disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functionsand constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for thepurpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined by the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic,parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations orvariations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error,measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those ofskill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effectthe characteristic was intended to provide.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an electronicdevice including a touch screen for performing an input operationthrough an input device and a display operation through a display parton a single physical touch screen. Herein, the term “display part” maybe replaced by the term “display”. Although the display part and theinput device are separated in the electronic device according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure, the display part may include theinput device or the input device may be referred to as the display part.In addition, the display part can be referred to as a touch screenand/or a touch screen device.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to theelectronic device including the touch screen but are applicable tovarious electronic devices. For example, the present disclosure can beapplied to the electronic device which physically separates or dividesthe display part and the input device.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide, but not limitedto, the electronic device including the touch screen as the display partand employing a protective case. For example, the electronic device canemploy various devices including the touch screen, that is, a PersonalDigital Assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a netbook, a Mobile Internet Device (MID), a Personal Computer(PC), an Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC), a tablet PC, a laptop PC, a navigationdevice, and an electronic music player, an electronic book reader, orany other similar and/or suitable type of electronic device.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device including aprotective case according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG. 2 is a plan view of a protective case of FIG. 1 with a front coverclosed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 3is a plan view of a protective case of FIG. 1 with an electronic deviceremoved according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an electronic device 100, which iscovered and/or protected by a protective case 200, includes, but is notlimited to, a touch screen 101, a speaker module 102 disposed at the topof the touch screen 101, a plurality of sensors 103 disposed at one sideof the speaker module 102, a camera module 104 disposed at one side ofthe sensors 103, and a microphone 105 disposed at a bottom of the touchscreen 101. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, andthe electronic device 100 can further include other components inaddition to the components shown in FIG. 1, and the electronic device100 can have a different arrangement of the components shown in FIG. 1.One or more of the components, excluding the touch screen, can beomitted.

For example, the electronic device 100 is a folder type or a flip type,and the electronic device 100 can be protected by the protective case200 that is connected and/or attached to the electronic device 100. Theprotective case 200 may operate as a sliding type. The protective case200 can include a rear cover 230 (see FIG. 3) for supporting a rear sideof the electronic device 100, a front cover 210 for protecting a frontside of the electronic device 100, and a linking part 220 integrallyconnected to and extended from the front cover 210 and connected to therear cover 230.

The rear cover 230 can be disposed to support the rear side of theelectronic device 100. The front cover 210 can be connected to the rearcover 230 by the linking part 220 in order to rotate the front cover 210along an arrow of FIG. 1. Hence, the front cover 210 can be disposed onthe front side of the touch screen 101 to protect the touch screen 101of the electronic device 100 as shown in FIG. 2, or may be disposed tobe used on the electronic device 100 as shown in FIG. 1.

Herein, when the front cover 210 rotates based on the rear cover 230 inorder to meet the touch screen 101 of the electronic device 100, thefront cover 210 may be referred to as being closed, and when the frontcover 210 rotates based on the rear cover 230 in order to facilitate thedirect touch on the touch screen 101 of the electronic device 100, asshown in FIG. 1, the front cover 210 may be referred to as being open.

When a transparent window 2101 is disposed on the protective case 200and the front cover 210 is closed, a user can see part of the touchscreen 101 of the electronic device 100 with the naked eyes. Theelectronic device 100 detects the closed front cover 210 and displaysstatus information of the electronic device 100 on a region of the touchscreen 101 corresponding to the transparent window 2101, as shown inFIG. 2. Hence, the user can use the electronic device 100 through thetransparent window 2101 even when the front cover 210 is closed.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, but not limited to,the single transparent window 2101 is disposed in the upper portion ofthe front cover 210. For example, a plurality of transparent windows maybe disposed at different positions of the front cover 210 in order todisplay the information according to an operating method of theelectronic device 100. For example, the transparent window 2101 may havean area not exceeding 50% of the entirety of the area of the front cover210. Alternatively, one or more transparent windows can have the areaoccupying about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%,60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 100%, or any other similarand/or suitable percentage of the display area. Alternatively, thedisplay area of the transparent window may be selected from a range,e.g., about 20˜50%, 30˜60%, 40˜80%, or any other similar and/or suitablerange between two arbitrary values of the above-stated percentages as amaximum value and a minimum value.

One or more button receiving grooves 2103 may be formed on a surfacecontacting the touch screen 101 of the front cover 210 in order toprevent a key button 106, which protrudes from the electronic device100, from being arbitrarily pressed by the closed front cover 210. Astep 2135, which may also be referred to as a physical step and/orledge, is formed on a periphery of the face contacting the touch screen101 of the front cover 210. When the front cover 210 is closed, the usercan easily open the front cover 210 by lifting up the step 2135 withhis/her nail or any other similar and/or suitable implement.

The front cover 210 is formed in, but is not limited to, the same sizeas the touch screen 101 of the electronic device 100, as shown inFIG. 1. For example, the front cover 210 may extend and bend its endpart to protect up to a side 107 of the electronic device 100 when thefront cover 210 is closed. The front cover 210, the linking part 220,and the rear cover 230 of the protective case 200 can be constructed tocorrespond to various key buttons of the electronic device 100, theprotruded or depressed components, and the components to be penetrated.The protective case 200 may be water-proof.

A plurality of tension protrusions 2301 (see FIG. 3) can be formed atparticular intervals along an inner periphery of the rear cover 230. Thetension protrusions 2301 can be detachably assembled to be received in acorresponding tension groove (not shown) on the rear side of theelectronic device 100.

The rear cover 230 can be formed of, but is not limited to, a syntheticresin material. For example, the rear cover 230 can be formed of variousmaterials, but is not limited to, metal material, Glass Fiber (GF)Reinforced Polymer (GFRP), Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP),rubber, silicon, Polycarbonate (PC), PC Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene(ABS), PC GF, or any other similar and/or suitable type of material. Therear cover 230 can be formed as, but is not limited to, a battery coverwhich is directly assembled to the rear side of the electronic device100. For example, the rear cover 230 may be molded separately from theelectronic device 100 in order to receive the rear side of theelectronic device 100.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an opening231 (see FIG. 3) can be formed in the rear cover 230. The opening 231may expose the component disposed in the rear side of the electronicdevice 100, for example, the camera module. In this case, variousaccessories such as an effect filter and a white balance gray card maybe applied to an interior or an exterior of the rear cover 230 throughthe opening 231.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a magnet2128 is disposed in the front cover 210, and an element configured todetect a magnetic force, such as a capacitor or other electronic and/ornon-electronic element, can be disposed at a corresponding position ofthe electronic device 100 in order to detect magnetic force of themagnet 2128. The magnetic force detecting element can be disposed at aposition of the electronic device 100 in order to detect the magneticforce of the magnet 2128 when the front cover 210 is closed so as tocontact the display 101 of the electronic device 100. The magnetic forcedetecting element can employ, but is not limited to, a Hall sensor and areed switch for detecting the magnetic force of the magnet 2128.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, by virtue offlexibility of the linking part 220 interconnecting the front cover 210and the rear cover 230, the front cover 210 can move to cover the rearcover 230 of the electronic device 210 from behind, like the coverdirection of the display 101 of the electronic device 100. Thus, evenwhen the front cover 210 is not closed and the rear cover 230 is coveredfrom behind by virtue of the magnetic force of the magnet 2128 of thefront cover 210, the electronic device 100 can recognize that the frontcover 210 is closed. In this regard, shielding units 2302 and 2129 canbe configured to not allow detection of the magnetic force of the magnet2128 when the front cover 210 is rotated to cover the rear cover 230.

Referring to FIG. 3, when the front cover 210 is moved to cover the rearcover 230, then the shielding unit 2302 can be disposed at a position ofthe rear cover 230 corresponding to the magnet 2128 of the front cover210. Additionally, a coupler 240 is included in the protective case 200.The shielding unit 2302 can be formed of various materials having ashield layer which can block the magnetic force of the magnet 2128. Forexample, the shielding unit 2302 can be formed of a sheet-type shielddisposed at the corresponding position of the rear cover 230. When theshielding unit 2302 is the sheet type, a single sheet can be formed to athickness of 0.2 mm or any other similar and/or suitable thickness. Forexample, the shielding unit 2302 can stack a plurality of sheets. Foursheets of the thickness 0.05 mm may be stacked. For example, thematerial of the shielding unit 2302 can use various alloys havingmagnetic permeability such as iron (Fe)-based alloy (amorphous), anickel (Ni)-based alloy, and a cobalt (Co)-based alloy.

When a magnetic force generating element, for producing the magneticforce, employs a magnet, an electromagnet using direct current (DC), asolenoid, or a power line for generating a DC magnetic field, theshielding unit for shielding the magnetic force can use a magneticmaterial, such as Fe, Co, and Ni, or a magnetic alloy in order to shieldthe magnetic force by detouring a magnetic force line. The magneticforce may be shielded by generating the magnetic field of the samemagnitude in an opposite direction of the magnetic field generated bythe magnet, the electromagnet using DC, the solenoid, or the power linefor generating the DC magnetic force.

When the magnetic force generating element for producing the magneticforce employs an electromagnet, a solenoid, or a power line usingalternating current (AC) for generating an AC magnetic field, theshielding unit may employ a conductor to cancel and/or nullify themagnetic force using the magnetic field generated by an eddy currentflowing on a conductor surface according to the AC magnetic field. Theshielding unit 2129 can be further disposed at a position overlappingwith a region of the magnet 2128 of the front cover 210, as shown inFIG. 3. The shielding unit 2129 can be disposed so as to detect themagnetic force of the magnet 2128 only when the front cover 210 is movedto cover the electronic device 100. The shielding unit 2129 may beinterposed between the magnet 2128 and an outer layer 211 (see FIG. 4A)of the front cover 210 based on the magnet 2128. The shielding units2302 and 2129 may be disposed selectively in the front cover 210 or therear cover 2302, or at both of the corresponding positions of the frontcover 210 and the rear cover 2302.

FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of a protective case of FIG. 1according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 4B is anexploded perspective view of a protective case of FIG. 1 viewed from adifferent angle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another side of a reinforcement plate ofFIGS. 4A and 4B according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another side of a coupler of FIGS. 4Aand 4B according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 7is a cross-sectional view of a connected protective case of FIGS. 4A and4B according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4A, an exploded perspective view of the protectivecase when the front cover is closed is shown, and referring to FIG. 4Ban exploded perspective view of the protective case when the front coveris open is shown.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the front cover 210 includes an innerlayer 213 contacting the touch screen 101 of the electronic device 100,an outer layer 211 stacked on the inner layer 213, and a reinforcementplate 212 is interposed between the inner layer 213 and the outer layer211. The outer layer 211 and the inner layer 213 can be formed ofvarious materials, for example, but not limited to, leather, syntheticleather, wool, CFRP, GFRP, PC, glass, and sapphire. The outer layer 211and the inner layer 213 may be formed of a metal and may go throughvarious surface treatments, such as coating. The reinforcement plate 212can be formed of various transparent materials, for example, but notlimited to, acrylic, epoxy, CFRP, GFRP, PC, conductive material, glass,and sapphire.

The outer layer 211 and the inner layer 213 can be assembled so as notto expose the interposed reinforcement plate 212 to the outside.Accordingly, the inner layer 213 includes a seating part 2131 formounting the reinforcement plate 212. Hence, a periphery 2134 of theseating part 2131 can be higher than the face of the seating part 2131.Naturally, the periphery of the face of the inner layer 213 contactingthe touch screen 101 of the electronic device 100 can form the step 2135(see FIG. 7).

The outer layer 211 can include a first opening 2112 at thecorresponding position so as to expose a first window 2122 protrudingfrom a first face 2121 of the reinforcement plate 212, and the seatingpart 2131 of the inner layer 213 can include a second opening 2132 atthe corresponding position so as to expose a second window 2125 (seeFIG. 4B) protruding from a second face 2124 (see FIG. 4B) of thereinforcement plate 212.

The corresponding positions of the outer layer 211, the inner layer 213,and the reinforcement plate 212 can include first, second, and thirdoutlets 2113, 2133, and 2123 for emitting speaker sound from the speakermodule 102 of the electronic device 100 when the front cover 210 isclosed. Notably, an outer layer linking part 221 of the outer layer 211and an inner layer linking part 223 of the inner layer 213 can becoupled to form the linking part 220 of FIG. 1. The outer layer linkingpart 221 includes a first through hole 222 at regular intervals, and theinner layer linking part 223 also includes a second through hole 224 atregular intervals. When the outer layer 211 and the inner layer 213 areassembled, the through holes 222 and 224 can serve as a single throughhole at the corresponding positions. Additionally, the reinforcementplate 212 includes a groove 2127.

Referring to FIG. 5, the second window 2125 can protrude from the secondface 2124 of the reinforcement plate 212 that is contacting the seatingpart 2131 of the inner layer 213. A magnet mounting groove 2126 can beformed at a proper position of the second face 2124 to mount the magnet2128. While the magnet mounting groove 2126 is circular in FIG. 5, themagnet mounting groove 2126 can be formed in a shape corresponding tovarious shapes of the magnet 2128. While the magnet 2128 is disposed inthe second face 2124 of the reinforcement plate 212 contacting the innerlayer 213, the magnet 2128 can be disposed at a position of the firstface 2121 of the reinforcement plate 212 contacting the outer layer 211.In this case, the magnet mounting groove 2126 can be formed in the firstface 2121 of the reinforcement plate 212.

The magnet 2128 can be detected by a detecting element of the electronicdevice 100 when the front cover 210 of the protective case 200 isclosed. In this case, the detecting element disposed at thecorresponding position of the electronic device 100 can use the Hallsensor or the reed switch for detecting the magnetic force of the magnet2128.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the rear cover 230 may include a coupler mountingpart 232 including mounting protrusions 233, as well as a shielding unitmounting groove 2303 for mounting a shielding unit 2302. As shown inFIG. 6, the coupler 240 may include a plate part 241 and a plurality ofinsertion protrusions 2412 protruding from the plate part 241.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of connected protective case of FIGS.4A and 4B according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7, the groove 2127 of a certain depth can be formed inthe second face 2124 of the reinforcement plate 212. The groove 2127 canbe formed at a position corresponding to the key button 106 protrudingfrom the face of the electronic device 100 contacting the front cover210 when the front cover 210 of the protective case 200 is closed. Thegroove 2127 can guide to form the button receiving groove 2103 of FIG. 1by sinking the position of the inner layer 213 corresponding to the keybutton 106 of the electronic device 100 when the inner layer 213 and thereinforcement plate 212 are assembled. Even when the front cover 210 ofthe protective case 200 is closed, the button receiving groove 2103receives the key button 106 of the electronic device 100 in order toprevent the key button 106 from being arbitrarily pressed.

The reinforcement plate 212 can include the first window 2122 and thesecond window 2125, as non-process parts, which are exposed through thefirst and second openings 2112 and 2132 of the outer layer 211 and theinner layer 213 and serve as the transparent window 2101 of FIG. 1.Also, the reinforcement plate 212 can include, the first and secondfaces 2121 and 2124 contacting the outer layer 211 and the inner layer213 as process parts. The process parts can be processed to reinforceadhesion between the outer layer 211 and the inner layer 213.

The reinforcement plate 212 is interposed between the inner layer 213and the outer layer 211 and then, but not limited to, thermalcompression can be applied along the periphery. The inner layer 213 andthe outer layer 211 can be assembled using bonding with an adhesive.When the inner layer 213 and the outer layer 211 are thermal-compressed,the periphery of the outer layer 211 and the periphery 2134, excludingthe seating part 2131 of the inner layer 213, are assembled in directcontact. Thus, the exposure of the reinforcement plate 212 due tolong-term usage can be addressed. As shown in FIGS. 4A through 6, thecoupler 240 includes the plate part 241 having a length and a width tobe mounted in the coupler mounting part 232 of the rear cover 230, andthe plurality of insertion protrusions 2412 protruding from the platepart 241 and to be mounted in mounting protrusions 233, which protrudefrom the coupler mounting part 232 at regular intervals. Hence, when thecoupler 240 is mounted to the coupler mounting part 232 of the rearcover 230, it is advantageous that an upper side of the plate part 241of the coupler 240 matches an inner side of the rear cover 230. Hence,the tensions protrusions 2411 can be formed at regular intervals on theother side of the insertion protrusions 2412 of the plate part 241 andassembled with an elastic groove disposed on the rear side of theelectronic device. The coupler 240 can employ PC, PC_ABS, PC_GF, and thelike.

When the outer layer 211 and the inner layer 213, with the reinforcementplate 212 interposed in between them, are thermal-compressed, then thefirst through holes 222 of the outer layer linking part 221 and thesecond through holes 224 of the inner layer linking part 223 correspondto each other so as to form final through holes. Temporary assembly isprocessed in a manner that the mounting protrusions 233 of the couplermounting part 232 of the rear cover 230 penetrate the through holes andthe coupler 240 is assembled above them. Thus, the front cover 210 andthe rear cover 230 are connected. In so doing, the mounting protrusion233 includes a mounting groove, and the assembly can finished byinserting the insertion protrusions 2412 of the coupler 240 into themounting grooves.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the rear cover 230 can include the shielding unitmounting groove 2303 for mounting the shielding unit 2302. The shieldingunit 2302 can be securely bonded or adhered to the rear cover 230. Theshielding unit 2302 is disposed at the corresponding position of therear cover 230 to prevent the magnetic force of the magnet 2128 of thefront cover 210 from being detected from behind the electronic device100.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams of the opening and the closing of the frontcover of a protective case according to a position of a magnet accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the position of the magnet 2128 disposedin the front cover 210 can determine a bend angle between an openingdirection and a close direction of the front cover 210. For example,based on the bend angle θ, the front cover 210 can freely rotate toopen, e.g. move in the direction {circle around (1)} of FIG. 8B, or toclose, e.g. move in the direction {circle around (2)} of FIG. 8B, asshown in FIG. 8B.

According to the position of the magnet 2128 based on the bend angle θ,the bend angle, tension, stiffness, and flexibility may be controlled inaccordance with an open/close direction of the front cover 210. Forexample, when the magnet 2128 is disposed in a region A away from thelinking part 220, the front cover 210 can be opened and closed fasterbased on the bend angle θ, than when the magnet 2128 is disposed in aregion B of the front cover 210. The bend angle may change a littleaccording to the position of the magnet 2128. That is, the bend anglecan be adjusted by using the magnet 2128 as a weight and defining itsposition.

FIGS. 9A through 9D are diagrams of various linking parts of aprotective case according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 9A through 9D, the bend angle, the tension and anopen/close speed of the front cover 210 can be controlled using thelinking part 220 of the protective front cover 210. The front cover 210may be easily opened and closed by operating the front cover 210 to openor to close.

Referring to FIG. 9A, the open/close direction of a front cover 210-1can be guided by expanding a thermal-compression region 2135-1 up topart of a linking part 220-1 of the front cover 210-1. Compared to FIG.9A, the open/close direction of a front cover 210-2, as shown in FIG.9B, can be guided by further expanding a thermal-compression region2135-2 of a front cover 210-2. For example, the bend angle, the tension,the stiffness, and the flexibility based on the open/close direction ofthe front cover 210-1 and 210-2 may be controlled by respectivelyadjusting the thermal-compression region 2135-1 and 2135-2 of thelinking part 220-1 and 220-2.

As shown in FIGS. 9C and 9D, the bend angle, the tension, the stiffness,and the flexibility based on the open/close direction of front covers210-3 and 210-4 may be controlled by interposing materials 2202 and 2203in respective linking parts 220-3 and 2204.

In FIG. 9C, a plurality of materials 2202 may be disposed at regularintervals in the linking part 220-3 of the front cover 210-3 thatincludes a thermal-compression region 2135-3, or, as shown in FIG. 9D, asingle material 2203 may be disposed in the linking part 220-4 byforming a plurality of slits 2203-1 at regular intervals of the frontcover 210-4 that includes a thermal-compression region 2135-4.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a reinforcement plate according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10, two reinforcement plates 212-1 and 212-2 can beembedded in the front cover 210-5 including the outer layer and theinner layer. The first reinforcement plate 212-1 can include atransparent window 2101-1 to be exposed to the outer layer and the innerlayer, and the second reinforcement plate 212-2 can be disposed at thelower portion not to be exposed between the outer layer and the innerlayer. In this case, the first reinforcement plate 212-1 is notprocessed for the transparent window 2101, and the second reinforcementplate 212-2 is processed to reinforce the adhesion of the outer layerand the inner layer. Thus, the problem that the non-processed part andthe processed part of the single reinforcement plate are processedtogether can be addressed.

Herein, the reference numeral 220-5 is the linking part and thereference numeral 2102-1 is the speaker sound outlet.

FIGS. 11A through 11E are diagrams of various covers according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 11A through 11E, while the components of the outerlayer, the inner layer, and the reinforcement plate are given differentreference numerals to ease the understanding, they are substantially thesame as the inner layer, the outer layer, and the reinforcement plate ofthe cover as aforementioned and only the transparent window differs.

Referring to FIG. 11A, a reinforcement plate 260 can be interposedbetween an outer layer 250 and an inner layer 270. The reinforcementplate 260 includes a window 262 exposed through an outer layer opening251 of the outer layer 250 and an inner layer opening 271 of the innerlayer 270, and a bonding layer 261 for bonding the outer layer 250 andthe inner layer 270. In this embodiment, an auxiliary plate 280 isinterposed between the inner layer 270 and the reinforcement plate 260.The auxiliary plate 280 can assist the reinforcement plate 260,particularly, which includes a flexible part such as transparentacrylic. The auxiliary plate 280 can employ GFRP or CFRP.

Referring to FIG. 11B, a reinforcement plate 260-1 is interposed betweenan outer layer 250-1 and an inner layer 270-1. The reinforcement plate260-1 does not include a separate protruding window. Accordingly, astep, or ledge, as thick as openings 251-1 and 271-1 of the outer layer250-1 and the inner layer 270-1 can be generated in the transparentwindow.

Referring to FIG. 11C, a reinforcement plate 260-2 is applied between anouter layer 250-2 and an inner layer 270-2. The reinforcement plate260-2 includes only a window 262-2 protruding from a junction 261-2 byan opening 271-2 of the inner layer 270-2, and a step, or ledge, as deepas the opening of the outer layer 250-2. The external step can bereduced by forming the periphery of the step as a built-in part 252-2which is adjacent to an opening 251-2 of the outer layer 250-2.

Referring to FIG. 11D, a reinforcement plate 260-3 is applied between anouter layer 250-3 and an inner layer 270-3, and includes an opening261-3 in the same size as openings 251-3 and 271-3, respectively of theouter layer 250-3 and the inner layer 270-3. In this case, a separatewindow is absent. Hence, when the front cover of the protective case isclosed, the touch screen of the electronic device can be directlyexposed through the opening 261-3 of the reinforcement plate 260-3 andthrough the openings 251-3 and 271-3, respectively of the outer layer250-3 and the inner layer 270-3.

In FIG. 11E, a reinforcement plate 260-4 is applied between an outerlayer 250-4 and an inner layer 270-4, and the reinforcement plate 260-4includes only the window 262-4 protruding from a junction 261-4 by anopening of the outer layer 250-4, and includes a step as deep as anopening 271-4 of the inner layer 270-4. The step can be reduced byforming the periphery of the step as a built-in part 272-4. In thiscase, since the touch screen of the electronic device contacting theinner layer 270-4 does not directly contact the reinforcement plate260-4, scratches on the touch screen, caused by the frequent openingand/or closing of the front cover, can be prevented in advance.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 12, the electronic device can detect an open/closestate of the front cover of the protective case. For example, themagnetic force of the magnet disposed in the front cover of theprotective case can be detected by, but not limited to, the Hall sensordisposed at the corresponding position of the electronic device. Aproximity sensor of the electronic device may detect the open/closestate of the front cover. An image sensor of the electronic device maydetect the open/close state of the front cover. A detecting element ofthe electronic device may be installed to detect the target to detect inthe front cover.

As shown in FIG. 12, the electronic device 100 can include a memory 110,a processor unit 120, an Input Output (10) controller 130, a display131, an input device 132, an audio processor 133, and a communicationsystem 136. These components can communicate with each other through atleast one communication buses or signal lines 108.

The memory 110 includes a program storage 111 for storing a program tocontrol operations of the electronic device 100, and a data storage 112for storing data generated corresponding to the program execution. Thememory 110 can store data generated by the program in a processor 122 orat any other similar and/or suitable storage location.

For example, the data storage 112 can include database information usedfor the processor 122 to determine related programs executed by a touchrecognition control program 117, and setup information required toconfigure Graphic User Interface (GUI) when the display 131 displays therelated programs.

The program storage 111 can include an application program 113, a GUIprogram 114, a communication control program 115, an 10 control program116, the touch recognition control program 117, and any other similarand/or suitable program that may be stored on the electronic device 100.Herein, the program contained in the program storage 111 may be referredas an instruction set which is a set of instructions.

The application program 113 can include at least one software componentfor at least one application program installed in the electronic device100.

The GUI program 114 can include at least one software component forproviding the GUI on the display 131. For example, the GUI program 114may control to display application program information driven by theprocessor 122 on the display 131.

When the touch recognition control program 117 determines that a covertouch mode is to be entered and/or started, the GUI program 113 cancontrol to display the display information only in the region of thedisplay 131 corresponding to the transparent window of the front cover.When the touch recognition control program 117 enters the cover touchmode and determines touch information input through the upper portion ofthe front cover, the GUI program 113 may control to display thecorresponding display information only in the region of the display 131corresponding to the transparent window.

The communication control program 115 can include at least one softwarecomponent for controlling communication with one or more otherelectronic devices using a communication system 136. For example, thecommunication control program 115 can discover other electronic deviceto communicate with using at least one of a Radio Frequency (RF)communication system, a wireless communication system, and/or a wiredcommunication system. Upon discovering the other electronic device tocommunicate, the communication control program 115 sets the connectionto communicate with the other electronic device. Next, the communicationcontrol program 115 may control to send and receive data to and from theother electronic device through the communication system 136 byperforming capability discovery and session establishment with the otherelectronic device that is connected to the electronic device 100.

The IO control program 116 can display the operation of the electronicdevice 100 on the display 131, and can receive an operation command ofthe electronic device 100 from the outside through the input device 132.

The touch recognition control program 117 can include at least onesoftware component for determining a corresponding function based on thetouch information input to the upper portion of the front cover when thecover touch mode is activated under the control of the processor 122.The touch recognition control program 117 may include a softwarecomponent for determining the corresponding function to display thedisplay information only in the corresponding region of the transparentregion of the display according to the cover touch mode.

The electronic device 100 can include one or more memories 110.According to a purpose, the memory 110 may function as the programstorage 111, the data storage 112, or both. A physical internal area ofthe memory 110 may not be distinctly divided according to devicecharacteristics.

The processor unit 120 can include a memory interface 121, at least oneprocessor 122, and a peripheral interface 123. Herein, the memoryinterface 121, the at least one processor 122, and the peripheralinterface 123 of the processor unit 120 can be integrated onto at leastone integrated circuit, or any other similar and/or suitable hardwareelement, or implemented using separate components and/or hardwareelements.

The memory interface 121 can control access of the component, such asthe processor 122 or the peripheral interface 123, to the memory 110.

The peripheral interface 123 can control the connection between aninput/output peripheral of the electronic device 100 and the processor122 and the memory interface 121.

The processor 122 controls the electronic device 100 to provide variousmultimedia and communication services using at least one softwareprogram, to display the IO processor 130 to display the GUI of theelectronic device on the display 131, and to forward the command inputfrom the outside to the electronic device 100 to the input device 132.In so doing, the processor 122 can execute at least one program storedin the memory 110 and can control to provide the service according tothe corresponding program.

The audio processor 133 can provide an audio interface between the userand the electronic device 100 through a speaker 134 and a microphone135.

The communication system 136 can perform the communication function. Forexample, the communication system 136 may communicate with the otherelectronic device using at least one of mobile communication via a basestation, infrared mobile communication (IrDA), short-range wirelesscommunication, such as Bluetooth, wireless Local Area Network (LAN)communication, and wired communication.

The IO processor 130 can provide an interface between an IO device, suchas the display 131 and input device 132, and the peripheral interface123.

The input device 132 can provide input data, generated by a user'sselection, to the processor unit 120 through the IO processor 130. Forexample, the input device 132 can include only a control button forcontrolling the electronic device 100. For example, the input device 132may include a keypad for receiving the input data from the user.

The input device 132 can be included in the display 131 as, but notlimited to, a touch screen. The touch screen can employ a capacitivetouch screen and a resistive touch screen.

The display 131 displays status information of the electronic device100, a character input by the user, a moving picture, and a stillpicture, which are received from the processor unit 120, through the IOprocessor 130, and any other similar and/or suitable information thatmay be displayed on the display 131. For example, the processor 122 cancontrol to display, on the display 131, according to setup informationcorresponding to the touch recognition mode, i.e. the direct touch modewhen the front cover is open or the cover touch mode when the frontcover is closed, related to the program executed in the electronicdevice 100. The display 131 may be any suitable type of display unit,such as, but not limited to, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, anOrganic LED display, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Thin-FilmTransistor (TFT) display, and any other similar and/or suitable type ofdisplay.

Similar to the input device 132, when the display 131 is the touchscreen, the single touch screen can function as both of the display 131and the input device 132.

A Hall sensor 137 can be installed to detect the magnetic force of themagnet disposed in the front cover. When the front cover is closed, theHall sensor 137 can detect the magnetic force of the magnet and providethe detection signal to the processor 122.

A proximity sensor 138 can detect the open/close state of the frontcover. When the front cover is closed, the proximity sensor 137 candetect that the front cover approaches the touch screen, and can providethe detection signal to the processor 122.

The proximity sensor 138 can detect the open/close state of the frontcover. When the front cover is closed, the proximity sensor 137 candetect that the front cover approaches the touch screen, and can providethe detection signal to the processor 122. When the front cover isclosed, an image sensor 139 can detect that the front cover approachesthe touch screen, and can provide the detection signal to the processor122.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a processor according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 13, the processor 122 can include a touch recognitioncontroller 150, a GUI controller 160, and an application program driver170.

The touch recognition controller 150 can execute the touch recognitioncontrol program 117 stored in the storage 110 and can determine thecorresponding function according to a direct touch input or a covertouch input by taking into account a touch mode based on the open/closestate of the front cover. In more detail, according to the signaldetecting the closed front cover of the electronic device, the touchrecognition controller 150 can display the information only at theposition corresponding to the transparent window of the display 131. Thetouch recognition controller 150 may detect the manipulation of anexternal key button in a sleep mode and can control the GUI controller160 to display the status information of the electronic device. Herein,the status information can include one or more basic information, suchas remaining battery capacity information of the electronic device,weather information, time information, transmission and receptionsensitivity information, and any other similar and/or suitable type ofinformation. The status information may include information forreceiving and confirming messages. The touch recognition controller 150may change the touch mode according to the detection signal detectingthe closed front cover. When the front cover is open, the touchrecognition controller 150 may enter a detection mode for detecting thedirect touch or the touch of a touch pen, or any other similar and/orsuitable touch input device, on the touch screen. When the front coveris closed, the touch recognition controller 150 may switch to the covertouch mode for detecting the touch even on the upper portion of thefront cover.

The GUI controller 160 executes the GUI program 114 stored in theprogram storage 111 and controls to display the GUI on the display 131.For example, the GUI controller 160 controls the display 131 to displaythe application program information driven by the application programdriver 170. For example, when the touch recognition controller 150determines the cover touch mode, the GUI controller 160 can control todisplay the display information only in the region corresponding to thetransparent window of the front cover of the display 131.

The application program driver 170 can execute the at least oneapplication program 113 stored in the program storage 111 and canprovide a service according to the corresponding application program.

Alternatively, the electronic device 100 may include a separate controlmodule for determining the touch function according to the touchinformation.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a method for operating an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 14, the electronic device confirms that the cover isclosed in operation 1401. Herein, confirmation that the cover is closedcan indicate that the front cover of the protective case of theelectronic device is closed so as to overlap the upper portion of thetouch screen. When the front cover is closed, the electronic device candetect that the front cover is closed according to the detection signalwhich detects the target of the cover using the detecting element. Forexample, the target can be the magnet disposed at the position of thefront cover, and the detecting element can be the Hall sensor or thereed switch disposed at a corresponding position of the electronicdevice so as to detect the target of the cover.

In operation 1403, the electronic device enters the cover touch mode.The cover touch mode detects the touch input to the upper portion of thefront cover when the front cover is closed. In this mode, a referencesensitivity value of the touch screen can be changed as shown in FIGS.16A and 16B. FIGS. 16A and 16B depict the operation sensitivity of thetouch screen and a change of the operation mode according to theopen/close state of the front cover. For example, when detecting a touchover a certain hovering sensitivity in the cover touch mode, theelectronic device can control to recognize the hovering input. Next, theelectronic device finishes this process.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a method for operating the cover touch of theelectronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 15, the electronic device can determine whether thecover is closed in operation 1501. When the cover is closed, theelectronic device can enter the cover touch mode in operation 1503.Herein, the cover touch mode can detect the touch input to the upperportion of the closed front cover and display the corresponding statusinformation on the touch screen, which is the display. For example, whenentering the cover touch mode and detecting the touch over the certainhovering sensitivity, the electronic device can recognize the hoveringinput. The cover touch mode can display the status information of theelectronic device only in the touch screen region corresponding to thetransparent window of the front cover. The status information caninclude at least one basic information, for example, but not limited to,the remaining battery capacity information of the electronic device, theweather information, the time information, and the transmission andreception sensitivity information. The status information may includethe information for receiving and confirming messages.

When the electronic device determines that the cover is not closed, inoperation 1501, then the electronic device enters a normal touch mode inoperation 1505. The normal touch mode can be the touch mode according tothe direct contact for inputting the data by directly touching theuser's finger or the touch pen/stylus on the touch screen. The normaltouch mode can include the direct touch of the touch screen by detectinga pen touch panel (digitizer) separated from the touch panel of thetouch screen in the electronic device, and the hovering input apart fromthe touch screen. For example, the hovering input can be the touch forpreview in the normal touch mode with the front cover opened.

In operation 1507, the electronic device can determine whether there isthe touch input while in the cover touch mode. The electronic device candetect the user's touch input to the upper portion of the closed frontcover. The touch input can be preset in the electronic device. Inoperation 1511, if the electronic device determines that there is thetouch input while in the cover touch mode in operation 1507, then theelectronic device can output the corresponding function according to thetouch input. The corresponding function can output various statusinformation of the electronic device displayed on the touch screenthrough the transparent window of the front cover. The correspondingfunction can output sound information, such as voice and sound, of theelectronic device. The corresponding function can output hapticinformation, such as vibration of the electronic device. The electronicdevice may control to conduct the corresponding function of the touchinput even outside the window of the front cover in the cover touchmode. For example, when the call is received, the electronic device canperform the corresponding function by touching, e.g. dragging, the frontcover region corresponding to the preset touch region for the callreception according to the user's experience.

When the touch input is not detected in the cover touch mode inoperation 1507, then the electronic device can determine whether acertain time passes, or in other words, can determine whether apredetermined amount of time has elapsed, in operation 1509. When thecertain time does not pass, the electronic device goes to operation1503.

When the electronic device has determined that the certain time passesin operation 1509, the electronic device can deactivate the cover touchmode or the electronic device in operation 1513. While the touch can beinput to the closed front cover of the protective case, such a touchmostly arises when the user grips and carries the electronic device inthe user's hand. When the cover touch mode continues even after thecertain time, then the electronic device, which is held in the user'shand to carry, can recognize the cover touch, i.e. can determine thatthe cover touch has occurred, and can perform an unintended function.The unintended touch input may be excluded by defining the touch inputin the cover touch mode as a particular operation, for example, as anundetectable operation using a grip sensor or a proximity sensor whenthe user holds the electronic device in his/her hand.

Even when the cover touch mode is deactivated, the electronic device candetermine whether an event for activating the cover touch mode or theelectronic device is generated in operation 1515. For example, whenreceiving information and/or a message in the sleep mode, the electronicdevice can reactivate the cover touch mode, so as to return to operation1503, by displaying the corresponding information in the touch screenregion corresponding to the transparent window of the front cover so asto notify the information to the user. The received message can be, butis not limited to, a text message received from the other electronicdevice or any other similar and/or suitable type of received message.The received information can be a notification message provided fromother service provider. The received information can be various outputrequest information, such as a notification message, a notificationsound, a notification vibration, and any other similar and/or suitabletype of notification provided in the electronic device. Even when thecover touch mode is deactivated, the electronic device can reactivatethe cover touch mode by detecting the user's input of the key button onthe exterior of the electronic device.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are graphs of sensitivity compared between a directtouch mode and a cover touch mode of an electronic device according toan embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 16A and 16B, FIG. 16A shows a graph illustratingsensitivity of the electronic device in the direct touch mode and FIG.16B shows a graph illustrating sensitivity of the electronic device inthe cover touch mode.

As set forth above, when the protective cover of the electronic deviceis closed, the user can confirm the status information of the electronicdevice and/or control the electronic device.

While the present disclosure has been shown and described with referenceto various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. An apparatus comprising: a touch screen; a sensor adapted to detect aposition of a cover with respect to the touch screen; and a processoradapted to: determine, using the sensor, whether the cover is open withrespect to the touch screen, detect an input via the touch screen usinga first setting based at least in part on a determination that the coveris open with respect to the touch screen, and detect the input via thetouch screen as covered with the cover using a second setting based atleast in part on a determination that the cover is closed with respectto the touch screen.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensorcomprises a hall sensor, and wherein the processor is further adaptedto: detect, using the hall sensor, a magnetic field generated from amagnet disposed in at least a portion of the cover, and determine theposition of the cover based at least in part on the magnetic field. 3.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a proximitysensor or an image sensor.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theprocessor is further adapted to: present, via a window forming at leasta portion of a surface of the cover, at least one state informationrelated to the apparatus while the touch screen is covered with thecover.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the processor is furtheradapted to: present a function or sub-information corresponding the atleast one state information via the window based at least in part on adetermination that the at least one state information presented via thewindow is selected by the input.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4, whereinthe at least one state information comprises time information, weatherinformation, reception sensitivity of radio frequency, battery capacity,message information, or any combination thereof.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the processor is further adapted to: adjust sensitivityof the touch screen or a threshold of the sensitivity based at least inpart on the determination that the cover is closed with respect to thetouch screen.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the processor isfurther adapted to: set the touch screen into a touch mode as at leastpart of the first setting, and set the touch screen into a hover mode asat least a part of the second setting.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8wherein the processor is further adapted to: deactivate the hover modebased at least in part on a determination that a specified period oftime has passed since the touch screen is set into the hover mode. 10.The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the processor is further adapted to:resume the hover mode based at least in part on a determination that theapparatus receives a message from an electronic device external to theapparatus.
 11. A mobile communication device comprising: a touch screen;a sensor adapted to detect a position of a cover with respect to thetouch screen; and a processor adapted to: determine, using the sensor,whether the cover is open with respect to the touch screen, set thetouch screen using a first setting based at least in part on adetermination that the cover is open with respect to the touch screen,set the touch screen using a second setting based at least in part on adetermination that the cover is closed with respect to the touch screen,and detect an input via the touch screen using a corresponding settingof the first setting and the second setting.
 12. The mobilecommunication device of claim 11, wherein the sensor comprises a hallsensor, and wherein the processor is further adapted to: detect, usingthe hall sensor, a magnetic field generated from a magnet disposed in atleast a portion of the cover, and determine the position of the coverbased on the magnetic field.
 13. The mobile communication device ofclaim 11, wherein the processor is further adapted to: set the touchscreen into a touch mode as at least part of the first setting, and setthe touch screen into a hover mode as at least a part of the secondsetting.
 14. The mobile communication device of claim 13, wherein theprocessor is further adapted to: adjust sensitivity of the touch screenor a threshold of the sensitivity based at least in part on thedetermination that the cover is closed with respect to the touch screen.15. The mobile communication device of claim 13, wherein the processoris further adapted to: present, via a window forming at least a portionof a surface of the cover, at least one state information related to themobile communication device while the touch screen is covered with thecover.
 16. The mobile communication device of claim 11, wherein the atleast one state information comprises time information, weatherinformation, reception sensitivity of radio frequency, battery capacity,message information, or any combination thereof.
 17. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, whenexecuted by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors toperform operations comprising: determining, using a sensor, whether acover is open with respect to a touch screen; detecting an input via thetouch screen using a first setting based at least in part on adetermination that the cover is open with respect to the touch screen;and detecting the input via the touch screen as covered with the coverusing a second setting based at least in part on a determination thatthe cover is closed with respect to the touch screen.
 18. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein theoperations further comprise: detecting, using the sensor, a magneticfield generated from a magnet disposed in at least a portion of thecover; and determining the position of the cover based at least in parton the magnetic field.
 19. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 18, wherein the operations further comprise: setting thetouch screen into a touch mode as at least part of the first setting;and setting the touch screen into a hover mode as at least a part of thesecond setting.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumof claim 17, wherein the operations further comprise: adjustingsensitivity of the touch screen or a threshold of the sensitivity basedat least in part on the determination that the cover is closed withrespect to the touch screen.